Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has been charged to deploy more gunboats to secure the Bonny sea route in Rivers State, following the rising spate of Insecurity on the waterways.
A group known as Bonny Maritime Transport Association, equally tasked the Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Navy, on the security of lives and property of water travelers.
Marine Safety Officer of the group, Mr Kingdom Dimkpe, lamented that the fear of being kidnapped had scared away many passengers and investors doing business in Bonny Island.
Dimkpe charged operatives of the Nigerian Navy and the Marine Police to ensure regular patrol of the waterways.
He emphasised that piracy has reduced the state’s Internally Generated Revenue and forced many companies to relocate to neighboring states for safety.
“Sea pirates always unleash terrors on our passengers and drivers, abduct them and cart away their valuables.
“All our passengers and drivers had run away for safety, abandoning their jobs and deserting the jetty.
“Pirates have forced our drivers to relocate. Before now, 30 boats were plying on daily basis from Port Harcourt to Bonny, but now, only three boats leave our jetty to Bonny Island due to attacks and abduction of passengers and drivers by sea robbers.”